Brighter Media Group & BRIGHT-FM’s Steve Lawhon to Retire
Peter & John Ministries announced today that Steve Lawhon, General Manager of Brighter Media Group (BMG) and Executive Vice President of Peter & John Ministries (PJM), has decided to retire after more than 40 years of service to the ministry. Lawhon will continue serving in his current roles through March 2027 to support a smooth and orderly leadership transition.
“Steve led one of the most significant transformations in the history of our ministry,” said Jon Bisset, President of Peter & John Ministries. “Under his leadership, our media ministry evolved from a heritage teaching and talk station into BRIGHT-FM, a dynamic, multi-platform ministry that impacts hundreds of thousands of lives across our region. Steve never viewed media as an end in itself, but as a way to help people encounter the hope and love of Jesus. More importantly, he has served this ministry with remarkable faithfulness and dedication for more than four decades. His creativity, vision, and commitment to excellence have left a lasting mark on both our ministry and the communities we serve.”
Lawhon joined the organization in 1985 as an on-air announcer. Over the next four decades, he rose to become one of the longest-serving ministry media leaders in the country. During his tenure, he led Brighter Media Group through a period of tremendous change in both media and broadcasting while helping expand the ministry’s reach, influence, and impact throughout the region. Under his leadership, the ministry grew across multiple platforms, entered new markets, and strengthened its ability to connect people with the hope of Christ.
That leadership has earned national recognition. Under Lawhon’s direction, BRIGHT-FM has become one of the nation’s most respected Christian media ministries, receiving multiple national honors from Christian Music Broadcasters, including being named Major Market Station of the Year.
“It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve this ministry for more than four decades,” said Lawhon. “When I look back on my career, I realize that all I ever really wanted to do was help move people toward the Lord. Everything else, the technology, the growth, the awards, and the business itself, existed to support that purpose. I am grateful for the people who shared that mission, for the friendships formed along the way, and for God’s faithfulness through it all.”
Following Lawhon’s decision, Peter & John Ministries has begun a thoughtful succession planning process to identify the next leader of Brighter Media Group while ensuring a smooth transition over the coming months. Lawhon will remain with the organization through March 2027.
